Lancaster city officials on Tuesday announced the groundbreaking of a Sprouts Farmers Market on the corner of Avenue K and 15th Street West. In a news release, city officials said the “reimagined corner of the city will be home to Sprouts as well as new shopping, dining, and service options that are sure to become a hub of activity for Lancaster residents.”
“Lancaster deserves the best, and we are excited to welcome new sought-after businesses like Sprouts Farmers Market to Lancaster,” Mayor R. Rex Parris said. “Equipping our local economy with desired eateries and retailers will not only provide new job opportunities but also increase the enthusiasm in our residents to shop locally.”
Lancaster city officials collaborated with Raider Hill Advisors to develop the former Toys“R”Us site on the corner of Avenue K and 15th Street West. They said the project will also include notable tenants like Quick Quack Car Wash, Dutch Bros, Ono Hawaiian BBQ, and more. The first tenants will begin opening in late 2022, with Sprouts targeting an early 2023 opening date.
“We are committed to bringing new jobs and opportunities to our city,” said Vice Mayor Marvin Crist. “This new development will not just benefit our residents, but it continues to mark our award-winning progress in fostering a robust and healthy business community here in Lancaster.”
The city of Lancaster was honored with the Eddy Award for Most Business-Friendly City in L.A. County from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation in 2007, 2013, and 2019 – making Lancaster the first city in the program’s history to win the award three times.
“Lancaster is making it easy for businesses to thrive in their community. Further, the city is continuing to ensure that, for residents, shopping locally has never been easier,” city officials said in the news release.
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ARNETTE WOOTEN says
I am so glad we’re now getting investors to come to Lancaster, CA. Its about time we have upscale stores and restaurants other than just Palmdale Mall Area. I would so much like to see a Crackerl Barrel, Lucilles’s BBQ Smokehouse also. In & Out on Avenue M and 10th Street West on the Corner is a great spot. Nothing on that corner down from the Courthouse:) And also a Walmart back where the new homes are being between 55th and 70th Street west. We have so much space out to invest. And last but not least a 99cents store on Ave. L and 20th street west, where the old Ralph’s store used to be. That shopping has been vacate for so long.
Sandra says
Can we get more retail & restaurant stores for us here in Lancaster n not just Palmdale… Chick-fil-would be nice to have here also
Lay says
Hey ! They’re building a Chick Fil A in the same shopping center as Sprouts! ;)
mike says
I’m sure some certain city officials will be getting kickbacks! Glad it’s coming here.
Terri says
Gee… a diversity of retail on the corner of Avenue K and 15th Street West? What a concept!!! That was once the most thriving retail corner in all of the Antelope Valley, never mind Lancaster. I’m referring to the GEMCO membership department store (1969) which long pre-dated the 100,000 square foot building’s end as a Home Town Buffet, Smart ‘N Final and finally a very sad and dismal Toys ‘R Us. You’d think the current city council invented the concept of a multiplicity of retail there, or that Palmdale hadn’t already bagged a Sprouts for 10th Street West and Rancho Vista Blvd. Just shaking my head.
Tim Scott says
None of Wrecks’ cronies owned property there, so the play was to just let it run down and down and down; lowest priority for road maintenance, and when it comes up make sure it is as much of an obstruction as can be made and at the most impactful time; make sure city building and safety makes every routine inspection a nightmare; stuff like that…and shoot down any prospective redevelopment. Eventually the property owners either sell at a depressed price or agree to some scheme where they hire one of Wrecks’ cronies or someone that he wants to trade favors with to a consulting contract and like magic a redevelopment project comes booming in.
City government corruption 101; a method that goes all the way back to Babylon and still works today.
Michelle says
What about Raising Cane??
Jennifer Turner says
that’s the worst spot that they could put it.
Da-Nalle says
I can wait for Sprouts to open so that I can stop driving to the ones in Santa Clarita and Burbank,In not sure if I will frequent the other establishments there I just gotta wait and see.
Lorie says
They’re opening one in Palmdale too. The old Staples space between Best Buy and Ulta. It’s being fixed up right now.
Redroseright says
Awesome!!! I’m so glad to hear this news I miss going to sprouts in the last city I lived in two years ago! I love having healthier options where I live!!
Dman says
Do NOT eat at Chick-fil-A!
Russ says
Sooo… no Chick-Fil-A?
tsparky says
@Russ – I have it on good authority that there is one coming to Lancaster (I don’t have the exact timetable).
Iconoclast says
Must it always be food establishments in Lancaster? How about some retail stores where you can buy clothes and shoes and not have to travel to Palmdale?
Joe says
Palmdale is literally less than a 15-30 minute drive
Ruth R. says
I agree yes we love food …but even though palmdale maybe a 15 min drive ….like Jose said. Why not put a retail store here for us. Its about time Lancaster gets more choices for us.
Lord Raymond says
Wrecks says there are no good restaurants in Lancaster. His waifs are working double time bringing new offerings to appease their king.
Rf says
Doesn’t appear they have attracted any businesses that I’d go to.
Lorie says
You can always keep shopping at Dollar Tree then?
Carmen Ruiz says
Dollar talent five Tree!
Lancaster shame says
Finally, something Wrecks and I can agree on when he says “Lancaster deserves the best”. That’s why Wrecks and the Good Old Boys need to leave. We need better. Before he starts taking credit for Sprouts, they are expanding across the AV. They wisely avoided the BLVD, which give them a real chance to succeed. But ‘splain this to me. Why is Wrecks using Metro Measure R funds for this property? Reminds me of the time they used housing money for the Sierra Highway/Ave L bridge. Or the time Wrecks bought his new building while he was on the redevelopment board. No bid contracts, missing dollars for the homeless shelter, boondoggle pet projects like the Eye in the Sky. The beat goes on in Lancaster.
Lucille McGillycutty says
Hi, please show me where in the article it says R funds are being used. Or are you basing your comment on a picture of a sign that has been on that corner for quite some time?
Stinger says
Although Measure R funds may not be in use for the project, that corner has been designated for the use of Measure R funds for a transportation project, with initial demo work having already been performed.
What happened there, I wonder?
To Clarify says
Quote: “with initial demo work having already been performed”. End quote.
What initial demo work are you referriquite.
There has been ZERO work done (as part of Measure R) on that intersection.
If instead, you are referring to the demolition of the old Toys-R-Us structure, that work was done by the private developer and has nothing to do with Measure R funds/work.
To Clarify says
Oops…
Typo: “What initial demo work are you referriquite.”
Should be:
What initial demo work are you referring to?
Stinger says
I appreciate the answer to my question and the clarification. I sit corrected (I think).
In defense of my ignorance, though, I would point out that the sign has been there for an extremely long time and coincidentally showed up just as demo work began at that corner, making a connection natural. Also, the sign has a current construction time frame with no other work evident in the area. Confusion under such conditions would be reasonable.
Where might one find more info on this project?
Stinger says
Also… “Referriquite” is a word that really needs some cogitation on what definition could be assigned to it… ;-)
Mark A. says
Measure R funds are being used to WIDEN the Avenue K exit ramp off the 14, which has been desperately needed for a long time.
I really wish people actually did some research into these things before automatically seeking out a conspiracy theory.
Lancaster shame says
Thank you for the clarification Mark A. That is good to know. Hard to tell when the sign is on the property. There was no sign for the Sierra Highway bridge when housing funds were used. Nor were there signs saying that Wrecks was a member of the redevelopment board when he bought his building despite the fact that he was not allowed to as a board member. The history in Lancaster is not great so it’s easy to conclude that when there is a Measure R sign on the property that it would be used on that property.
Stinger says
‘Ang on a tick, there, mate! Where did I claim any conspiracy theory? I asked a simple question, based upon observations of going through that intersection several times a week. Also, why would anyone here be required to research the entire project before asking anything… especially something so simple as to wonder what happened?
Your reproof notwithstanding, I now wonder what’s going on with the actual Measure R project, as the sign indicates it should be in full swing, if not completing, by now. Did it get delayed by the continued pandemic? Are there regulatory issues holding it up?
William says
It would have been a good idea to put the sign as you come off the off ramp rather than on a lot where there is construction. It would lessen the confusion.
America's Most Searching for William says
Are you THE William? OUR William? Or a new guy?
PS: You other guys will argue about ANYTHING, LOLOL.
To Clarify says
I agree that the Measure R sign has been there for quite some time.
Due to the fact that Measure R funds are NOT being used for any part of the Sprouts project, that picture should NOT have been included in this news story!
Signs Signs Everywhere the Signs says
The sign has been on the property forever. Anyone taking a photo would see it.
Stinger says
Having the sign there in coincidence with the demo work performed there is, indeed, confusing. I appreciate the clarification.
As you seem to have knowledge in this area, where might one find more information on the actual Measure R work being done in that vicinity?
Signs Signs Everywhere the Signs says
The sign on the property says R funds.
To Clarify says
Quote: “Why is Wrecks using Metro Measure R funds for this property?”
Rex is not using the funds from Measure R. He couldn’t if he wanted to… That is State money and Lancaster has no authority to tap into that funding.
Amongst many other rail/road/freeway projects statewide, Measure R is funding the redesign/construction of the freeway on-ramps off-ramps for Avenue J & K.
The ‘Sprouts” project is paid for by private funding. It has nothing to do with Measure R funds. Although it is possible that the “the developer of the Sprouts project may contribute to the costs if redesigning & rebuilding the Avenue K/15th St West/14 Fwy off/on ramps.
Mark A. says
Everyone wants a conspiracy theory nowadays, though…
The sign of an unsophisticated populace!
The Measure R signs were posted on that corner, as you said, because it is required by state law that when a large public project is being undertaken, it needs to be announced to the public. That particular corner on K and 15th has the highest visibility, so the State/CalTrans selected that corner to place the sign.
That is all.
Curse these nutcases who constantly want to find fault in every thing!
BLVD Bob says
I think most people don’t want any more conspiracies in Lancaster. Most people are sick of the no bid contracts for things like LEAPS and Kensington, the lack of addressing homelessness with real solutions, the rise in crime, bike lanes over road repair, lack of representation in East Lancaster, cronyism, odd election dates, and so on and so forth. We the people of Lancaster would like some fresh faces and ideas on Fern Street.
Simon says
Is Sprouts still going to Palmdale? It was approved years ago and I don’t see any progress .
Mark A. says
Simon,
Sprouts is going to occupy the old Staples cite between Best Buy and Barnes & Noble in Palmdale. They are renovating the site right now.
Stinger says
You are the only one speaking of conspiracies, here, Mark… Seems odd that you would bring up the idea in the first place.
Mark A. says
You’re funny, bro!
The comments on here are always “wrecks”, “fern street mafia” etc, etc.
Stinger says
Sure, Mark. Lot’s of talk about Parris and his cronies, but nothing here claiming any particular conspiracy – just lots of questions due to some confusions as to the circumstances surrounding the arrangements of construction in that immediate area.
Interestingly, though, there seems to be less responses with actual information to help clear up confusions than certain persons trying to muddy the waters with silly comments against some sort of nonexistent conspiracy claim attack. I find these comments particularly odd, btw, for that very reason…